Two New Martin D-35s

D-35E 50th Anniversary Limited Edition and LE-HMSD 2015 to be unveiled at Musikmesse   07-Apr-15

C. F. Martin & Co. will unveil two new Dreadnought models at Musikmesse 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany April 15-18.

The D-35E 50th Anniversary Limited Edition features Martin Guitar's newly released Vintage Tone System (VTS), and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the classic D-35 model.

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the iconic D-35 model, the D-35E 50th Anniversary Limited Edition features a European spruce top with Vintage Tone System (VTS) combined with East Indian rosewood sides and back wings with an organic East Indian rosewood wedge and maple bindings. The organic wedge is also inlayed on the East Indian rosewood headplate. A black ebony fingerboard and bridge, and Fishman Aura VT electronics complete this model that commemorates an important milestone in Martin Guitar's history.

To commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the historic HMS Dreadnought sinking the German SM U-29 submarine in 1915, Martin Guitar is introducing the LE-HMSD 2015. This model features an image of the HMS Dreadnought printed on a Sitka spruce top and enhanced with Martin's new Vintage Tone System (VTS). A spokesperson told us, "The HMS Dreadnought battleship was one of the most notable design transformations of the armored warship era and Martin Guitar pays homage to the beautiful craftsmanship and honors its significance as the namesake of Martin's iconic series of Dreadnought instruments."

Other features of this 12-fret Dreadnought model include genuine mahogany back and sides, East Indian rosewood headplate and a black ebony fingerboard and bridge.

The Dreadnought story

HMS Dreadnought was a battleship of the British Royal Navy that revolutionized naval power. Her entry into service in 1906 represented such a marked advance in naval technology that her name came to be associated with an entire generation of battleships, the "dreadnoughts", as well as the class of ships named after her. The HMS Dreadnought did not participate in any of World War I's naval battles. She became the only battleship to sink a submarine when she rammed the German SM U-29 when it unexpectedly broke the surface after firing a torpedo at another dreadnought in 1915. She was relegated to coastal defense duties in the English Channel after Jutland, only rejoining the Grand Fleet in 1918. She was reduced to reserve in 1919 and sold for scrap two years later.

The dreadnought design so thoroughly eclipsed earlier types that subsequent battleships of all nations were generically known as "dreadnoughts" and older battleships disparaged as "pre-dreadnoughts". Her very short construction time was intended to demonstrate that Britain could build an unassailable lead in the new type of battleships. Her construction sparked off a naval arms race, and soon all major fleets were adding dreadnought-like ships.

The modern acoustic guitar developed by C. F. Martin & Co. in 1916 with a wide, deep body was named the dreadnought after this iconic ship.

Pricing and Availability:

D-35E 50th Anniversary Limited Edition: MSRP $4,999.00

LE-HMSD 2015: MSRP $4,999.00

More information:

• www.martinguitar.com